bussete1's Blog

So THAT's what that's for!
Aug 10, 2011 | 6:18 AM PST

I have a 3-tined rake that I use every spring to break sod and make rows.  I just found out that you're supposed to use it throughout the summer in the aisles to do rough weeding.  That makes things so much easier!  Now I think I might be able to keep up with the weeding!  

I tried it the past week or two, and it does a great job of pulling up the weeds.  I just need to get better at not snagging the good plants with it.

Rocket Fuel & Nematodes
Aug 8, 2011 | 8:00 PM PST

I got some beneficial nematodes from the local nursery this weekend.  They were expensive, but the package says it'll get rid of ground-dwelling bad bugs for 2 years.  Other research with various state extension offices says it's more like 10 years, but we'll see.  If this works, there will be no more Japanese Beetles, Cucumber Beetles, Squash Bugs, Boring Beetles, or grubs.  I'm really excited.

One thing I got for free this weekend was organic bunny manure.  I got it off Freecycle and they have 100 rabbits.  They gave me about a weeks' worth of manure, which was 8 - 40lb feed bags full (the size I get for dog food)  It took three bags to spread over the garden, and I put the other five bags in the compost bin.  

I got up early the next morning to see if the plants looked healthier.  They did.  I picked one cucumber and noted some babies that looked like baby pickles.  I came back to take a look at the garden after work, and three of those baby pickles were now full-sized cucumbers!  Color me impressedI